[Jewelry making - Article 00083] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering with diamonds in place

[James Binnion]

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>     I thought it was the combination of dirt and heat which caused a
>     diamond to burn, not oxygen and heat. In fact, I'd guess that the
>     reason Helen's diamond burned is because it was dirty. So what's
>     the bottom line here? 

    Diamond is carbon, carbon + oxygen at elevated temperature = carbon
    monoxide and carbon dioxide gas and no more diamond. Now it takes a
    high temperature and a bit of time but they do burn. Boric acid flux
    glass forms a protective coating to keep them from burning,but at
    too high a temperature or too long at temperature the boric acid
    becomes overloaded with oxygen and the diamond will burn. "Dirt"can
    have compounds in it that reduce the temperature for the carbon
    oxygen reaction and increase the likelihood of burning the stone or
    may fuse to the surface of the stone and only be removable by
    polishing off the crud. I believe if you were to examine the stones
    that you have soldered without the benefit of a boric acid flux and
    look carefully before and after heating you would see some
    degradation in the polish of the stone. If the time of heating is
    short enough then the damage may be difficult to see but it is likely
    there is some. 

Jim

James Binnion
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
James Binnion Metal Arts
http://www.mokume-gane.com
360-756-6550
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